Multiple shootings at birthday party, may be gang related

St. Petersburg, Florida -- The St. Petersburg Police Department is investigating an attempted homicide that took place at a house party.

On April 27, a birthday celebration occurred at a residence of 3743 3rd Avenue South attracted around 150 attendees.

Officers in an adjacent neighborhood alerted to the sounds of gunshots and arrived at the scene prior to being dispatched. While on scene officers attempted to disperse the large crowd that had gathered and located multiple shell casings from various caliber handguns.

No one had the party claimed that anyone had been shot at that time.

While on scene officers were notified that multiple gunshot wound victims had arrived at Bayfront Hospital and All Children's Hospital. Subsequently four victims were identified, a 12 year old male, a 13 year old female and two 15 year old males, all of whom at been present at the shooting scene on 3rd Avenue South.

One of the 15 year old males was listed in critical, but stable condition. The other victims suffered various wounds, none of which are considered life threatening at this time.

The investigation is still ongoing, but preliminary information indicates that while the party was in progress a white vehicle drove by and at least one of occupants produced a handgun which he fired into the air.

In response someone at the party fired back towards the white vehicle striking two occupants which were determined to be the two 15 year old males that later showed up at the hospital.

The 12 year old male and 13 year old female who were wounded were attending the party and it's unclear at this time if they were hit by gunfire emanating from the white car or someone else at the party.

It is suspected that shooting may have been prompted by an ongoing rivalry between two neighborhood groups.